view of the independent retail grocery industry. The 2009 Independent Grocers Survey provides independent grocers with a look at their own community and how their fellow business owners are fairing in the current competitive and economic conditions.The study provides departmental margin breakdowns and economic data relevant to the industry. This year's survey showed retailers have improved their gross margins and their bottom lines by 4.31% over last year sales. Some highlights from the survey are:
- Breaking a three-year negative streak, respondents turned higher net profit before taxes.
- Overall store margins had a solid increase, reporting 26.94% in 2008 versus 25.55% in 2007.
- The average square footage decreased from last year's respondents from 28,617 to 25,469 the total inventory in the store increased to $658,454 bringing the total inventory per square foot to an even $13.00. This is a $3.35 increase per square foot with this year's respondents. Of the total square footage in respondent's stores 84.4% of the space is actually selling square footage, up dramatically from last year's 76.5%.
This survey also looks at a number of different topics including the "Top 7" issues rated by NGA members: health care reform, energy costs, economic stimulus plan, supercenter legislation, (permanent repeal) death tax, immigration reform and international policies.
The NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that make up the independent portion of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. Most independent operators are serviced by wholesale distributors, while others may be partially or fully self-distributing.